Adjustable watch band having multi-part link units

ABSTRACT

A watch band having length adjusting function is disclosed. The band is formed by connecting a plurality of link units (14). Each of the link units comprises a first link (10) and a second link (11). The first and second links (10, 11) have bodies (10b, 11b) and projections (10c, 11c) projecting from inner portions of the bodies. The bodies have holes (10a, 11a) extending in the lateral direction, and the projections have perforated holes (15) extending in the lateral direction. Adjacent link units are connected by engaging a pin with the holes. Structure (12a, 13) is provided for preventing the first and second links from moving in the lateral direction in an approximately flat state, and for allowing the lateral movement of the links when both the links are relatively angularly displaced about the pin.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a band for a watch, and moreparticularly to a watch band the length of which is adjustable to fitthe watch to the wrist of the wearer.

Japanese Utility Mode Application Laid-Open 53-45065 discloses structurefor connecting links of a watch band, which is shown in FIGS. 1 to 3.

The watch band comprises a link unit 4 consisting of a plurality ofinner links 1 and a pin 3 rotatably engaged with a hole formed in eachlink 1, and a pair of outer links 2 secured to the pin 3 on oppositesides of the link unit 4. To assemble the link unit 4, an annular groove3a formed on an end of the pin 3 is positioned so as to correspond to astaking portion 2a of the outer link 2. The staking portion 2a ispressed down by a press to project a protrusion 2b to the portion 3a,thereby fixing the pin 3 in the outer link 2.

However, the length of the band can not be adjusted, because the outerlinks 2 can not be removed. Therefore, an adjusting link having anadjusting function must be provided.

An object of the present invention is to provide a watch band which hasa length adjusting function, whereby the operation for the connection ordisconnection of the links is easily performed.

Another object of the invention is to provide a watch band in whichcolor tones and patterns of links are easily changed.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

The watch band of the present invention has a plurality of link units,each of the link units having an engaging projection projecting from oneof sides of the link unit in the longitudinal direction of the band anda recess formed in the other side, corresponding to the engagingprojection, adjacent link units being connected by engaging the engagingprojection of one of the units with the recess of the other unit and ischaracterized in that each of the link units comprises a first link anda second link, each of the first and second links has a body and aprojection projecting from an inner portion of the body in the lateraldirection and the longitudinal direction of the band, the body has ahole extending in the lateral direction, the projection has a throughhole extending in the lateral direction of the band, the projection offirst link having a shape so as to form the engaging projection of thelink unit by adjoining with the projection of the second link, aconnecting pin is engaged with the hole of the body of the first linkunit, with the through holes of the engaging projection of the secondlink unit adjacent to the first link unit, and with the hole of thesecond link of the first link unit, means is provided for preventing thefirst and second links from moving in the lateral direction of the bandwhen the links are approximately co-planar, and for allowing the lateralmovement of the links when both the links are relatively angularlydisplaced about the pin.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a plan view of the reverse side of a conventional watch band;

FIG. 2 is a sectional view showing a staking portion of the watch bandof FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a connecting pin of the band ofFIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the reverse side of a watch bandaccording to the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view for explaining an assembling process oflinks of the band;

FIG. 6 is a sectional view partly showing a connecting pin and a link ofthe band in an engaged state;

FIG. 7 is a plan view showing a second embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 8 is a plan view showing a third embodiment;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view explaining an assembling process of linksof the third embodiment;

FIG. 10 is a plan view showing a fourth embodiment;

FIG. 11 is a plan view showing a fifth embodiment;

FIG. 12 is a plan view showing a sixth embodiment;

FIG. 13 is an exploded perspective view showing a link unit of the sixthembodiment;

FIG. 14 is a front view of a first link of the sixth embodiment partlyshown in section;

FIG. 15 is a front view of a second link partly shown in section;

FIG. 16 is a perspective view showing an assembling process of links;

FIG. 17 is a sectional view showing link units in a connecting state;

FIG. 18 is a plan view showing a seventh embodiment;

FIG. 19 is an exploded perspective view showing a link unit of FIG. 19;

FIG. 20 is a sectional view showing link units in a connecting state;

FIG. 21 is a plan view showing an eighth embodiment;

FIG. 22 is an exploded perspective view showing a link unit of FIG. 21;

FIG. 23 is a sectional view showing link units in a connecting state;

FIG. 24 is a plan view showing a ninth embodiment;

FIG. 25 is an exploded perspective view showing a link unit of FIG. 24;

FIG. 26 is a sectional view showing link units in a connecting state;

FIG. 27 is a plan view showing a tenth embodiment;

FIG. 28 is an exploded perspective view showing a link unit of FIG. 27;and

FIG. 29 is a sectional view showing link units in a connecting state.

BEST MODE FOR EMBODYING THE INVENTION

The preferred embodiments of the present invention will be describedhereinafter in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Referring to FIGS. 4 to 6 showing the first embodiment of a watch bandaccording to the present invention, a link unit 14 comprises a firstlink 10 and a second link 11. Each of the links 10 and 11 comprises abody 10b (11b), and an L-shaped projection 10c (11c) projecting from aninner portion of the body. Thus, each link has a crank shape. The linkunit 14 is formed by adjoining the links 10 and 11 at the insides of theprojections 10c and 11c. The link unit 14 has a connecting projection14a formed with the projections 10c and 11c, projecting from one of thesides of the link unit 14 in the longitudinal direction of the band. Arecess 14b is formed on the other side of the link unit 14 by combininga notch portion 16 of the link 10 and a notch portion 16 of the link 11.The connecting projection 14a is arranged to be engaged with the recess14b of the adjacent link unit 14.

Each of the projections 10c and 11c of links 10 and 11 has a throughhole 15 formed in the lateral direction of the band. The notch portions16 have blind holes 10a and 11a, respectively, formed in the lateraldirection of the band corresponding to each other. As shown in FIG. 6,in the hole 10a of the link 10, an inner protrusion 13 is formedprojecting from the inside wall of the hole in the perpendiculardirection to the surface of the link.

A cylindrical pin 12 for connecting the first link 10 with the secondlinks 11 and for connecting the adjacent link units 14 has a flatportion 12a at an end thereof and an annular groove 12b at the innerside of the flat portion 12a, with the base of the groove being flushwith the flat portion 12a. The flat portion 12a is formed so as to passthe inner protrusion 13 passing through the surface thereof.

Operation for connecting the links 10 and 11 together with the adjacentlink units 14 will be described hereinafter with reference to FIGS. 4 to6.

A base end of the pin 12 is securely mounted in the hole 11a of thesecond link 11-2 with force fit, staking or welding. In that state, theflat portion 12a of the pin 12 is positioned at a right angle with thesurface of the link 11-2. An end of the pin 12 secured to the secondlink 11-2 is inserted into the through holes 15 of the assembledadjacent link unit 14-1. Then, the first link 10-2 is positioned at theright angle to the link 11-2 so that the flat portion 12a becomesparallel with the surface of the link 10-2. The end of the pin 12 isinserted into the hole 10a, passing the protrusion 13 in the hole 10a.The annular groove 12b is positioned at the protrusion 13, and the link10-2 is rotated 90° so as to become coplanar with the link 11-2,rotating the protrusion 13 in the annular groove 12b. The link 10-2 isrestricted from moving in the lateral direction because of theengagement of the protrusion 13 with the groove, whereby the link 10-2is prevented from coming off. Thus, the adjacent link units areconnected.

As described above, the first link 10 and the second link 11 areconnected by the pin 12 to form the link unit 14, and the connectingprojection 14a of the link unit 14 is engaged with the connecting recess14b of the adjacent link unit 14. Thus, the watch band having a lengthadjusting function is assembled.

The height of the protrusion 13 is selected to be slightly lower thanthe flat portion 12a of the pin 12 and higher than the position of theouter diameter of the pin 12. Thus, the end of the pin 12 can be engagedwith the hole 10a only when the flat portion 12a corresponds to theprotrusion 13. In the other position relationships between the flatportion and the protrusion, the pin 12 cannot engage with the hole 10a.

The flat portion 12a of the pin 12 inserted into the hole 10a passes theprotrusion 13 and the annular groove 12b is positioned at the protrusion13, and the link 10 or 11 is rotated 90° so that the protrusion 13 isengaged with the annular groove 12b. Thus, the link 10 is not removedfrom the pin 12.

In order to adjust the length of the band, the link 10 and the link 11are disconnected in the reverse order to the connection order. Namely,either of the link 10 and the link 11 is rotated to position the flatportion 12a of the pin 12 at the protrusion 13. Then, the link 10 andthe link 11 are pulled in the opposite directions so that the link unit14 is disassembled.

In accordance with the invention, operations for connection anddisconnection of the link units 14 are easily performed.

The protrusion 13 is formed in various methods such as punching, pressworking, or embedding of a pin or a screw.

FIG. 7 shows the second embodiment of the invention. Although the firstand second links 10 and 11 of the first embodiment are symmetrical inshape, a first link 17 and a second link 18 of the second embodiment areasymmetrical. The contact surfaces of both links 17 and 18 composing alink unit 20 is deflected to the side of the link 18, thereby givingvariety to the design of the band.

Structures of the link unit 20 and method for connecting the links 17and 18 and connecting the link units 20 are the same as the firstembodiment. Thus, descriptions thereof are omitted. An end of the bandis connected to a watch case 21 and the other end thereof is connectedto a buckle 22 by spring loaded pins (not shown), respectively.

FIGS. 8 and 9 show the third embodiment of the invention. A link unit 23comprises a first link 24, a second link 25 and an intermediate link 26disposed between the first and second links. The link unit 23 has aconnecting projection 23a projecting in the longitudinal direction ofthe band, which is formed by combining a projection of the first link24, the intermediate link 26 and a projection of the second link 25. Arecess 23b is formed on the opposite side to the connecting projection23a by a notch portion of the first link 24, an end of the intermediatelink 26 and a notch portion of the second link 25.

The connecting projection 23a has through holes 23c formed in thelateral direction of the band. The intermediate link 26 is connected tothe link 24 or 25 through a connecting pin 27 at an end portion oppositeto the end portion having the hole 23c.

The first link 24 has a hole 24a having a protrusion 30 formed in thehole, and the second link 25 has a hole 25a corresponding to the hole24a.

A pin 31 for connecting the links 24 and 25 has the same structure asthe pin 12 of the first embodiment. That is, the pin 31 has a flatportion 31a and an annular groove 31b.

Operation for engaging the first link 24 with the second link 25 andconnecting the link units 23 will be described in brief.

An end of the pin 31 is securely mounted in the hole 25a of the secondlink 25. The pin 31 is inserted into through holes 23c of the adjacentlink unit 23 and further engaged with the blind hole 24a of the firstlink 24. The first link 24 is rotated 90° to engage the protrusion 30with the annular groove 31b of the pin 31.

Thus, the first link 24, intermediate link 26 and second link 25 areengaged by the pin 31 to form the link unit 23. The connectingprojection 23a of the link unit 23 is engaged with the recess 23b inorder. Thus, the watch band having the intermediate link 26 isassembled. In the third embodiment, the intermediate link is disposedbetween first and second links.

Referring to FIG. 10 showing the fourth embodiment, a watch bandcomprises a link unit having a connecting link and a link unit withoutthe connecting link, which are alternately arranged. Namely, a link unit36 comprises a first link 33, a second link 34 and an intermediate link35 disposed between the first and second links, and a link unit 39comprises a first link 37 and and a second link 38, which are connectedby pins (not shown).

The intermediate link 35 is connected to the link unit 36 by a pin forassembling the first links 33, 37, the second links 34, 38, the linkunit 36 and the link unit 39, such as pin 12 in the first embodiment,without using the pin 27 of the third embodiment.

Operation for connecting the links and link units 36 and 39 is the sameas the first and third embodiments so that the description thereof isomitted.

Referring to FIG. 11 showing the fifth embodiment, a link unit comprisesa first link 40 having an intermediate link 42 having approximately thesame shape as the first link and a second link 41 having an intermediatelink 43 having approximately the same shape as the second link. Thefirst link 40 and the second link 41 and the adjacent link units areconnected by a pin in the same manner as the first embodiment.

The number of the intermediate links can be increased to a larger evennumber such as four and six, whereby the color tone and pattern of theband can be easily changed. Thus, a variety of watch bands can beprovided.

FIGS. 12 to 17 show the sixth embodiment. Referring to FIG. 12, numeral50 designates a link unit having a first link 51 and a second link 52.The first link 51 and the second link 52 have bodies 51a and 52a, andL-shaped engaging projections 51b and 52b projected from the inner sidesof the bodies 51a and 52a, respectively. Thus, each link 51 (52) has acrank shape.

Referring to FIG. 13, the first link 51 has a recess 51c formed on anarm portion thereof and an engaging step portion 51d formed adjacent therecess 51c one step higher than the recess. The second link 52 has arecess 52c formed on the underside of an arm portion thereof to beengaged with the step portion 51d and an engaging step portion 52dengaged with the recess 51c. Namely, when both links are assembled, thearm portions of the links are adjoined each other with respect to thedirection of the thickness of the band. Further, engaging projections51b and 52b are engaged with each other at reverse sides, so as toregulate the lateral displacements of the links.

The first link 51 and the second link 52 are assembled by a pin 53 toform the link unit 50 as described hereinafter. As shown in FIG. 12, aconnecting projection 54 is formed with the engaging projection 51b ofthe first link 51 and the engaging projection 52b of the second link 52,projecting from one of the sides of the link unit 50 in the longitudinaldirection of the band. A recess 55 is formed on the other side of thelink unit 50 between the body 51a of the link 51 and the body 52a of thelink 52 so as to be engaged with a connecting projection 54 of anadjacent link unit 50.

As shown FIGS. 13 and 14, the body 51a of the first link 51 has a blindhole 56 formed in the inner side thereof, extending in the lateraldirection of the band for engaging an end 53a of the pin 53. As shown inFIG. 15, the body 52a of the second link 52 has a blind hole 57 formedin the inner side thereof corresponding to the blind hole 56 forengaging the other end 53b of the pin 53. The engaging projection 51b ofthe link 51 and the engaging projection 52b of the link 52 have throughholes 58 extending in the lateral direction of the band for engaging thepin 53.

Operation for connecting the links 51 and 52 and the link units 50 willbe described hereinafter.

Referring to FIG. 16, the end 53a of the first pin 53 is inserted intothe hole 56 formed in the body 51a of the first link 51. The second link52 is positioned at an angle of 90° to the first link 51, and the otherend 53b of the pin 53 is inserted into the hole 57 formed in the body52a of the second link 52.

The link 52 is rotated 90° about the pin 53 in the direction shown by anarrow a so as to flush the surface of the link 51 with the surface ofthe link 52. The recess 51c provided on the engaging projection 51b ofthe link 51 is engaged with the engaging step portion 52d provided onthe engaging projection 52b of the link 52, while the recess 52c of theengaging projection 52b of the link 52 is engaged with the engaging stepportion 51d of the engaging projection 51b of the link 51 to form afirst link unit 50-1 of FIG. 12. The links 51 and 52 are not disengagedfrom the pin 53 because of the engagement of the projections with therecesses and step portions.

An end 53a of a second pin 53 inserted into a hole of a second link 52of an adjacent second link unit 50 is inserted into the through holes 58formed in the engaging projections 51b and 52b of the links 51 and 52 ofthe first link unit 50-1.

A first link 51 of the adjacent second link unit 50 is positioned at anangle of 90° to the second link 52, and the end 53a of the second pin 53is inserted into a hole 56 of the first link 51 of the second link unit50.

The first link 51 is rotated 90° about the pin 53 in the upwarddirection. The recess 51c provided on the engaging projection 51b of thelink 51 is engaged with the engaging step portion 52d provided on theengaging projection 52b of the link 52, while the recess 52c of theengaging projection 52b of the link 52 is engaged with the engaging stepportion 51d of the engaging projection 51b of the link 51. Theconnecting projection 54 formed on the side of the link unit 50-1 isconnected to the recess 55 formed on the other side of the adjacentsecond link unit 50 by the second pin 53. As shown in FIG. 17, theengaging projection 52b of the link 52 and the engaging projection 51bof the link 51 of the adjacent link unit disposed between the body 51aof the link 51 and the body 52a of the link 52 are supported by the pin53. Thus, the watch band with link adjusting function is assembled.

In order to disconnect the link from the band, the links 51 and 52 aredisconnected in the reverse order as described hereinbefore. That is,the first link 51 is rotated 90° in the downward direction 90° so thatthe recess 51c of the link 51 is disengaged from the engaging stepportion 52d of the link 52, while the recess 52c of the link 52 isdisengaged from the engaging step portion 51d of the link 51.

The links 51 and 52 are pulled in the opposite directions along theaxial direction of the pin 53. The pin 53 is released from the blindhole 57 of the link 52 and from the through holes 58 of the adjacentlinks 51 and 52 so that the link unit 50 is disengaged. Thus, it ispossible to adjust the length of the band.

In this embodiment, the recesses 51c, 52c and the engaging step portions51d and 52d may have the same level.

Referring to FIGS. 18 to 20 showing the seventh embodiment, a link unit62 comprises a first link 60 and a second link 61. As shown in FIG. 19,the first link 60 has a body 60a and a thick projection 60b projectedfrom the inner side of the body 60a to the second link 61. The secondlink 61 has a body 61a, a lower projection 61d formed on the inner sideof the body 61a, and a thin projection 61b projected from the lowerprojection to the link 60. A cylindrical protrusion 63 is provided onthe thick projection 60b of the link 60. On the thin projection 61b ofthe link 61, an engaging opening 64 is formed so as to engage with theprotrusion 63.

The body 60a of the link 60 has a blind hole 68 for engaging an end of apin 65. The body 61a of the link 61 has a blind hole 69 formed incorrespondence to the hole 68.

The thick projection 60b of the link 60 has a perforated hole 70 forengaging the pin 65. The lower projection 61d of the link 61 has aperforated hole 61c corresponding to the hole 70. When the links 60 and61 are assembled, the thin projection 61b of the link 61 is adjoined onthe thick projection 60b of the link 60.

When the links 60 and 61 are rotated about the pin 65, the protrusion 63of the link 60 is engaged with the engaging opening 64 of the link 61.With the reverse rotation of the links 60 and 61 about the pin 65, theprotrusion 63 of the link 60 is disengaged from the engaging opening 64of the link 61.

Operation for connecting the links 60 and 61 and the link units 62 willbe described hereinafter.

The end of the pin 65 is inserted into the hole 68 of the first link 60.The link 61 is positioned at an angle of 90° to the link 60 and theother end of the pin 65 is inserted into the blind hole 69 of the link61 in the same manner as the sixth embodiment.

The link 61 is rotated 90° about the pin 65 so as to flush the surfaceof the body 60a of the link 60 with the surface of the base body 61a ofthe link 61. The protrusion 63 provided on the thick projection 60b ofthe link 60 is engaged with the engaging opening 64 of the link 61,while the thin projection 61b of the link 61 is engaged with the thickprojection 60b of the link 60, so that the link unit 62 is formed. Thelinks 60 and 61 are not released from the pin 65.

An end of another pin 65 inserted into the blind hole 68 of link 60 ofthe adjacent link unit 62 is inserted into the perforated hole 70 of thelink 60 and the perforated hole 61c formed in the lower projection 61dof the link 61 of the assembled link unit 60.

The link 61 of the adjacent link unit 62 is positioned at an angle of90° to the link 60 and an end of the pin 65 is inserted into hole 69 ofthe link 61.

The link 61 is rotated 90° about the pin 65 so as to flush the surfaceof the body 60a of the link 60 with the surface of the body 61a of thelink 61 so that the protrusion 63 of the link 60 is engaged with theengaging opening 64 of the link 61. Thus, the link units 62 areconnected with each other.

In order to disconnect the link from the band, the reverse manner ofengaging the link 60 with the link 61 is performed.

FIGS. 21 to 23 shows the eighth embodiment. A link unit 73 comprises afirst link 71 and a second link 72. Referring to FIG. 22, the first link71 has a body 71a and an L-shaped engaging projection 71b projected fromthe inner side of the body 71a to the link 72. The second link 72 has abody 72a and a U-shaped engaging projection 72b projected from the innerside of the body 72a to the link 71. A groove 71c is provided on theengaging projection 71b of the link 71. An engaging plate 72c isprojected from an end of the engaging projection 72b of the link 72 soas to engage with the groove 71c. An end portion of the engagingprojection 71b is provided to be engaged with a recess 74 of theengaging projection 72b.

Operation for connecting the links 71 and 72 and the link units 73 willbe described hereinafter.

The end of the pin 65 is inserted into the blind hole 68 of the firstlink 71. The link 72 is positioned at an angle of 90° to the link 71 andthe other end of the pin 65 is inserted into the blind hole 69 of thelink 72.

The link 72 is rotated 90° about the pin 65 so as to flush the surfaceof the link 71 with the surface of the link 72. The engaging plate 72cof the engaging projection 72b of the link 72 is engaged with the groove71c provided on the engaging projection 71b of the link 71, while theend portion of the engaging projection 71b of the link 71 is engagedwith the recess 74 of the engaging projection 72b of the link 72, sothat the links 71 and 72 are not released from the pin 65. Thus, thelink unit 73 is formed.

An end of another pin 65 inserted into the hole 68 of the link 71 of theadjacent link unit 73 is inserted into the through holes 77 of the links71 and 72 of the assembled link unit 73, respectively.

The other link 72 is positioned at an angle of 90° to the link 71 of theadjacent link unit 73 and an end of the pin 65 is inserted into the hole69 of the link 72.

The link 72 is rotated 90° about the pin 65 so as to flush the surfaceof the link 71 with the surface of the link 72 so that the engagingplate 72c of the link 72 is engaged with the groove 71c of the link 71.Thus, the link units 73 are connected with each other.

In order to disconnect the link from the band, the reverse manner ofengaging the links is performed.

Referring to FIGS. 24 to 26 showing the ninth embodiment, a link unit 82comprises a first link 80 and a second link 81. Referring to FIG. 25, abody 80a of the first link 80 has an engaging projection 84 having thesame shape as the body 80a projected from the inner side of the body 80ato the link 81 through an engaging projection arm 83. A body 81a of thesecond link 81 has an engaging projection 86 having the same shape asthe body 81a projected from the inner side of the body 81a to the link80 through an engaging projection arm 85. The engaging projection 84 ofthe link 80 has an engaging groove 84a formed in the upper portionthereof for receiving the engaging projection arm 85 of the link 81. Theengaging projection 86 of the link 81 has an engaging groove 86a formedin the underside thereof so as to engage with the engaging projectionarm 83 of the link 81.

Operation for connecting the links 80 and 81 and the link units 82 willbe described hereinafter.

The end of the pin 65 is inserted into the blind hole 68 of the link 80.The link 81 is positioned at an angle of 90° to the link 80, and theother end of the pin 65 is inserted into the blind hole 69 of the link81.

The link 80 is rotated 90° about the pin 65 so as to flush the surfaceof the link 80 with the surface of the link 81.

An end of the pin 65 inserted into the blind hole 68 of the link 80 ofthe adjacent link unit 82 is inserted into the through hole 89 of thelink 81 and the through hole 89 of the link 80 of the assembled linkunit 82.

The link 81 is positioned at an angle of 90° to the link 80 of theadjacent link unit 82 and an end of the pin 65 is inserted into theblind hole 69 of the link 81.

Both links are rotated 90° about the pin 65 so as to flush the surfacesof both links with each other.

Referring to FIGS. 27 to 29 showing the tenth embodiment, a link unit 92comprises a first link 90 and a second link 91. The first link 90 has abody 90a and a wide projection 90b projected from the inner side of thebody 90a to the second link 91. The second link 91 has a body 91a and anarrow projection 91b projected from the inner side of the body 91a tothe link 90. The wide projection 90b of the link 90 has a notch 90cformed in the upper portion thereof and an engaging projection 90dformed on a side of the notch 90c. In the underside of the narrowprojection 91b of the link 91, a notch 91c is formed so as to engagewith the engaging projection 90d. An engaging projection 91d is formedon a side of the notch 91c and an engaging support portion 91e isprovided on the other side of the notch 91c opposite to the engagingprojection 91d.

Operation for connecting the links 90 and 91 and the link units 92 willbe described hereinafter.

The end of the pin 65 is inserted into the blind hole 68 formed on thebody 90a of the first link 90. The link 91 is positioned at an angle of90° to the link 90, and the other end of the pin 65 is inserted into theblind hole 69 of the link 91.

The link 91 is rotated 90° about the pin 65 so as to flush the surfacesof both links, so that the notch 90c provided in the wide projection 90bof the link 90 is engaged with the engaging projection 91d of the link91, while the notch 91c formed in the underside of the narrow projection91b of the link 91 is engaged with the engaging projection 90d of thelink 90. Thus, the links 90 and 91 are not released from the pin 65 andthe link unit 92 is formed.

An end of the pin 65 is inserted into the blind hole 68 of the link 90of the adjacent link unit 92 is inserted into the perforated hole 95formed in the wide projection 90b of the link 90 and through blind hole95 formed in the engaging support portion 91e of the link 91 of theassembled link unit 92.

The link 91 is positioned at an angle of 90° to the link 90 of theadjacent link unit 92, and an end of the PG,23 pin 65 is inserted intothe blind hole 69 of the link 91.

The link 91 is rotated 90° about the pin 65 so as to flush the surfacesof both links with each other, so that the notch 90c of the link 90 isengaged with the engaging projection 91d of the link 91, while the notch91c formed in the underside of the narrow projection 91b of the link 91is engaged with the engaging projection 90d of the link 90. Thus, thelink units 92 are connected with each other.

In the embodiments of the present invention, a pin is separately formedfrom links. However, an end of the pin can be previously secured to oneof the links.

PROBABILITY OF INDUSTRIAL EXPLOITATION

In accordance with the present invention, links for the band are rotatedabout the pin to engage one link with the other link. Thus, operationfor connection and disconnection of the link units can be easilyperformed, so that the length of the band can be easily adjusted.

Since holes for pins are not formed on the lateral sides of the bandwith respect to the longitudinal direction, the band having a goodappearance with a high grade is provided. Further, each link ismanufactured in an independent process, the bands having various tonesand patterns of surfaces can be easily made.

We claim:
 1. An adjustable watch band comprising a plurality of linkunits, each of said link units having a first side and a second side,each of said sides facing in the longitudinal direction of the watchband, said first side having an engaging projection portion, said secondside having a recess section, said recess section generallycorresponding in shape to said engaging projection portion, adjacentsaid link units being connected by engaging said engaging projectionportion to one of said link units with said recess section of another ofsaid link units, whereineach of said link units includes a first linkand a second link; each of said first and second links having a body,said body having an inner side and an outer side substantially parallelwith the longitudinal axis of the band, a projection projecting fromsaid inner side of said body in the lateral direction of the band andextending in the longitudinal direction of the band, and a notch portionformed by a base end side of said projection and said inner side of saidbody; said body having a blind hole formed in said inner side andextending in the lateral direction of the band; said projection having athrough hole extending in the lateral direction of the band; saidprojection and said notch portion of said first link having shapes so asto form said engaging projection portion and said recess section of saidlink unit by adjoining with said projection and said notch portion ofsaid second link; a connecting pin, said connecting pin having an innerend portion and an outer end portion, said inner end portion beingengageable with said blind hole of said body of said first link, saidconnecting pin being slidably engaged with said through holes of saidprojections of said second link unit adjacent to said first link unit,and slidably and rotatably engaged with said blind hole of said secondlink of said first link unit so that said second link may be pivoted andslided on said connecting pin; and means for preventing said first andsecond links from moving in the lateral direction of the band when saidfirst and second links are disposed substantially co-planarly, and forallowing movement of said links in the lateral direction of the bandwhen said first and second links are relatively angularly displacedabout said connecting pin.
 2. The watch band according to claim 1wherein said means includes a flat portion formed on an outer endportion of said connecting pin along the longitudinal axis of saidconnecting pin, an annular groove formed on said connecting pin, saidgroove being adjacent an inner side of said flat portion, and an inwardprotrusion formed in said blind hole of said body of said second link inwhich said outer end portion of said connecting pin is inserted, saidflat portion and said annular groove being formed such that said flatportion passes said inner protrusion and said annular groove engageswith said inner protrusion when said first and second links arerelatively angularly displaced about said connecting pin.
 3. The watchband according to claim 1 wherein said means for preventing movement ofthe links in the lateral direction of the band includes a first stepportion and a first recess portion formed on said projection of saidfirst link and a second step portion and a second recess portion formedon said projection of said second link, said step portions and saidrecess portions being formed such that said first step portion matinglyengages with said second recess portion and said second step portionmatingly engages with said first recess portion when said first andsecond links are disposed substantially co-planarly.